Trainee was arranging final assessment when owner sent termination text, FWC hears
A text message firing over unproven child safety allegations has cost a Sydney childcare operator more than $11,500 in a cautionary tale about shortcuts.
The Fair Work Commission ruled on February 4, 2026, that Edustellar Pty Ltd unfairly dismissed Victoria Russell after she worked just 10 months as a trainee at Bright Future Childcare Centre in Baulkham Hills.
Russell started her traineeship on November 7, 2024, working toward a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. When health problems surfaced during 2025, she tried to resign twice. Both times, Edustellar convinced her to stay. The company agreed to reduce her hours to 15 per week starting June 13, 2025.
Then on September 16, 2025, one of the owners, Ms Zhou, sent Russell a text message ending her employment. The message listed five serious concerns: reports from staff and parents about inappropriate interactions with children, observations of children expressing fear and distress in her care, concerns about workplace conduct including time away from children and use of inappropriate language, incomplete training requirements, and failure to complete the mandatory Child Protection course.
Russell wrote back asking for details. She was surprised by allegations she had never heard before and specifically requested information about the reports, observations, and incidents Zhou mentioned.
The problem was the evidence. The...
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